Your weekly guide to the Bible and prayer
Sunday, January 13, 2008
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"We've all heard someone defend an obviously ungodly decision by saying, 'I've got peace about it,' as if that alone puts an end to any debate. But inner peace and a clear conscience can't always be trusted." That's the observation of Larry Osborne in his Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God.
He goes on to note that a person's conscience isn't "a God-given warning system preset to go off every time we violate one of God's standards. It's more like a thermostat we can adjust to a higher or lower temperature. Once set to the standards we believe in, it clicks in—but only when we begin to violate our own standards, not God’s."
"That's why we can all identify actions and behaviors that we once thought to be wrong by now believe to be right, or that we once considered perfectly fine but now view as terribly wrong."
"In each case, our conscience was recalibrated and reset to a new standard. Ideally, these changes are the result of aligning our values with the values of Scripture. But it's no secret that our conscience can just as easily be reset to align with our actions, providing cover for things we once knew to be wrong but now find ourselves caught up in."
This week is about letting Scripture shape not only our consciences but also our decision-making processes.
Until next week,
Harry Genet, Men of Integrity managing editor
Your feedback is welcome at Men@ChristianityToday.com.
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 How I Found My Focus
Kenneth Ulmer pastors the Faithful Central Bible Church of Inglewood, California. He has seen his congregation swell, since 1982, from 350 to more than 13,000. It now owns and meets in the Great Western Forum, where the Lakers used to play. Kenneth also teaches in a seminary, and presides over a fellowship with congregations in the U.S. and five African countries. He's married to Togetta; their children are RoShaun, Keniya, and Kendan.
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 No Fear of Flying
Trust in a God who will show you the next step.
by Lyn Baker
As the head of a small Episcopal grade school, I often give the chapel talk. To grab the attention of 40 squirming preschoolers—no easy task—I search for simple stories and parables. One morning, having forgotten it was my day to teach the lesson, I frantically scoured my office for an object to make into a story … something about God. In a corner, I noticed an old cardboard box with "magic" handwritten in black marker.
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How do you go about making a significant decision? You …- Identify why this is a front-burner question now.
- Consider whether youve weighed all options.
- Write down and evaluate the pros and cons.
- Check out budget, calendar, and commitments.
- Determine if a specific scripture deals with it.
- Ask if a general principle from Scripture applies.
- Talk over motives and options with your wife.
- Discuss the issues with a mature believer.
- Spend time praying about it.
- If in doubt, wait for God to intervene.
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'. |
Which disposition in other men are you most impressed by?- Confident but open to advice; gentle: 40%
- Capable but modest; patient: 18%
- Evidences strength under control: 14%
- Takes genuine interest in others; vulnerable: 13%
- A laid-back, good-humored encourager: 9%
- A forceful take-charge type who is self-assured: 2%
- A quiet, withdrawn loner: 1%
- Afraid of disappointing others: 0%
- An articulate, flamboyant spokesman: 0%
- Always defers to opinions of others: 0%
- Decisive; critical of those less competent: 0%
- Timid, hesitant, and apologetic: 0%
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